In an effort to quell critics and satisfy skeptics, Mitt Romney on Thursday told reporters that he has not paid less than 13 percent in taxes in any of the past 10 years.
Color David Simon less than impressed.

The politically inclined creator of HBO shows The Wire and Treme blasted the multimillionaire former investment banker on his blog, calling the admission "stunning." It's a tax rate a third less than what is normally paid by "a gentleman of his economic benefit," Simon said, which led him to a few angry rhetorical questions.

"Am I supposed to congratulate this man?" Simon asked. "Thank him for his good citizenship? Compliment him for being clever enough to arm himself with enough tax lawyers so that he could legally minimize his obligations?"

Simon says he hasn't paid taxes that low since he was a rookie newspaper reporter and that he had no qualms paying the higher rates that have come with his success and income.

5. David Simon is one of my heroes and

"The Wire" is truly a classic series, respected even more abroad than it may be in the US. "Treme" still disheartens me when I think of how the beautiful city of New Orleans was so callously and casually left in ruins by the Bush Administration, but the spirit of the people of NOLA who are represented there gives me hope.

Good for him! He's one who remembers what is was to struggle and doesn't forget those who still do.